Methods and machines for pouching smokeless tobacco and tobacco substitute products

Abstract

A melt-blown fabric for pouching smokeless tobacco or a smokeless tobacco substitute can include melt-blown polymer fibers. The fabric can have a basis weight of less than 30 gsm and a tensile strength of at least 4mJ in at least one predetermined direction. Method of making the fabric can include melt-blowing a polymeric material against a support surface and bonding the fibers or arranging them in a predetermined orientation. Pouched smokeless tobacco or tobacco substitute products including the fabrics provided herein can provide desirable flavor and tactile experience.

1 . A method of making an oral product comprising:
 drawing a first web of polymeric fibers at least partially into a first cavity of a conveyor;   depositing a composition onto the first web of polymeric fibers, the composition at last partially within the first cavity;   contacting a second web of polymeric fibers with the first web of polymeric fibers such that the composition is between the first web of polymeric fibers and the second web of polymeric fibers; and   forming the oral product by simultaneously heat-cutting and heat-sealing the first web of polymeric fibers and the second web of polymeric fibers around a periphery of the first cavity, the oral product including the composition between a portion of the first web of polymeric fibers and a portion of the second web of polymeric fibers.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 supplying the first web of polymeric fibers to the conveyor.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the supplying includes rotating a web-supply roller. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor is a drum. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contacting includes supplying the second web of polymeric fibers from a web-supply roller. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the forming includes contacting a seal-cutter roller with the second web of polymeric fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the seal-cutter roller defines a second cavity configured to align with the first cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second cavity is a same size and a same shape as the first cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drawing includes applying vacuum to the first web of polymeric fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 molding the composition.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the molding includes molding the composition to a size and a shape of the first cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 moving the conveyor.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the moving is performed during the drawing, the depositing, the contacting, and the forming. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the moving is performed continuously. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is an herbal composition. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition includes a tobacco substitute. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition includes tobacco. 
     
     
         18 . A method of making an herbal product comprising:
 drawing a first web of polymeric fibers at least partially into a first cavity of a conveyor;   depositing an herbal composition onto the first web of polymeric fibers, the herbal composition at last partially within the first cavity;   contacting a second web of polymeric fibers with the first web of polymeric fibers such that the herbal composition is between the first web of polymeric fibers and the second web of polymeric fibers; and   forming the herbal product by simultaneously heat-cutting and heat-sealing the first web of polymeric fibers and the second web of polymeric fibers around a periphery of the first cavity, the herbal product including herbal composition is between a portion of the first web of polymeric fibers and a portion of the second web of polymeric fibers.   
     
     
         19 . A method of making a plurality of oral products comprising:
 drawing a first web of polymeric fibers at least partially into a plurality of first cavities of a conveyor;   depositing a plurality of discrete portions of a composition onto the first web of polymeric fibers, each of the plurality of discrete portions of the composition at least partially within a respective one of the plurality of first cavities;   contacting a second web of polymeric fibers with the first web of polymeric fibers such each of the plurality of discrete portions of the composition is between the first web of polymeric fibers and the second web of polymeric fibers; and   forming the plurality of oral product by simultaneously heat-cutting and heat-sealing the first web of polymeric fibers and the second web of polymeric fibers around a periphery of each of the plurality of first cavities, each of the plurality of oral products including one of the plurality of discrete portions of the composition between a respective portion of the first web of polymeric fibers and a respective portion of the second web of polymeric fibers.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the method is configured to be performed continuously.